Tamiflu effectiveness questioned
The effectiveness of Tamiflu has been cast into doubt after a new investigation suggested there was not enough evidence that the popular antiviral prevented complications from influenza in healthy people.

The joint investigation between the British Medical Journal and UK’s Channel 4 News concluded that while Tamiflu (oseltamivir) and other neuraminidase inhibitors were effective at reducing symptoms of the flu, their role in reducing complications such as pneumonia was unclear.

The research team, led by Professor Chris Del Mar from Queensland’s Bond University, analysed 20 published trials on the effectiveness of Tamiflu but found that a “paucity of good data” had undermined previous results.

“We are less certain now about the usefulness of this drug, and we realise we don’t actually know as much about it as we thought we did,” Prof Del Mar said.

The team was forced to drop eight of the studies because they could not independently verify the results.

Tamiflu manufacturer Roche said it stood by trials and studies that supported the drug and accused the research team of excluding vital information from their analysis.

“Data supporting the efficacy and safety of Tamiflu has been consistently provided to and reviewed by health authorities, including the Therapeutic Goods Administration,” a statement from Roche said.

“Tamiflu has been commercially available for 10 years and used by around 68 million people worldwide.”

However, Prof Del Mar said Roche refused to release its data unless his team signed unacceptable secrecy agreements.

He called on the Federal Government to reassess its endorsement and stockpiling of Tamiflu in response to the swine flu pandemic.

“My gut feeling is that we should probably be investing less in this sort of stuff and more in other measures like hand washing, masks and isolation, which seem to be pretty effective,” he said.

Tags | british medical journal, doubt, effectiveness, influenza, tamiflu